BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- A group is protesting the addition of the 'In God We Trust' posters that have gone up in Kern County high school classrooms.

The Bakersfield chapter of World Can't Wait sent out a press release voicing their opposition. They said they stand behind others, who “as a matter of conscience, are opposed to such an overtly political assertion of religion in the classroom.”

Bakersfield City Councilwoman Jacquie Sullivan said the posters have a positive message and can't see any negative impact from hanging them in school classrooms. She said the posters promote patriotism, and that schools are where students should learn about patriotism. "I have passion on this because I think, 'Why not?'" Sullivan said. "Patriotism is a love of God and a love of country," she added while also saying people should love God first and then their country.

Sullivan also mentioned that 31 California cities are following suit and electing city officials who are not only promoting patriotism, but the motto, "In God We Trust."

Kern High School District board members approved the posters in to be hung in schools, along with prints of historical documents, several months ago. Those posters displaying the national motto "In God We Trust" are now being hung in every Kern High School District classroom. The posters include the national motto, along with the Bill of Rights, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

Officials said they will finish hanging the more than 2,000 posters inside all classrooms and libraries over the next few days.

The controversy over the posters has been debated in blogs, talked about in the local media, and even the Director of the National Center for History in the Schools, UCLA professor Gary Nash, spoke out in opposition.

“Arguing about this and spending time and energy on such a matter only diverts teachers, administrators, and students from raising the standards in U.S. and World History," Nash said. "We have plenty of work to do in professionalizing the teaching of history in the schools. Posting such a motto in every classroom would do nothing toward that end in my view.”